18RG rebuild OR 1G-GTE

[ansonvd]

Hi all

Just wondering what ideas are floating around out there in regards to the cost to rebuild and rebore an 18RG to a 2.2L, or should I change it to a 1G-GTE? I am only new to this stuff, so some ideas of approx prices would also be appreciated!!

Thanks
Anson

[SIKTOY]

You should do a search there has been a lot said about this I personaly went with the 1G and trust me you wont regret it

Cheers
Ben

[Norbie]

For a full 18R-G rebuild including custom pistons I would expect the cost to be upwards of $1500-2000. This is probably cheaper than a 1G conversion but obviously you'll get a much better result with the 1G.

I guess it depends on your goals. The purist in me says keep the 18R-G, but the realist in me says you'd be happier with the 1G.

[river]

Hi,

Unless you turbo your 18RG, but that would increase the cost.

seeyuzz
river

[timbosaurus]

phew... a quick look at the heading of this post and jumped to the conclusion that River started a thread called "18RG rebuild OR 1G-GTE"! I nearly had a heart attack!

Luckily it was only him posting the last post

As for the swap, i personally like the idea of a nice 18RG in an early celica. Keeps the purist in me happy. If i wanted something more powerful and hi-tech i'd go the whole way and go to something like a 1UZ. Not something in between like a 1G.

That just me personally, as i know a lot of ppl like their 1G and in reality it makes a LOT of sense.

Way up the pro's and cons... some of which are

18RG
pros:
bolt in
no engineering
wicked induction and exhaust sound
Respek from yo' bro's like River and The Witzl
considered standard from most insurers.
easy to work on

cons:
comparibly expensive to repair
carbies dont like winter mornings (well... when i tune them they dont )
generally not as powerful as 1G-GTE

1G-GTE
pros:
lots of write-ups about fitting them
cheap and reliable
fuel injection
good power

cons:
once you have injection, you'll never look at a carby the same again
damn annoying *psshhhttt*. Some ppl may consider this a pro
brake upgrade and engineering needed
considered a modification by insurance
performance upgrades are addictive
longer engine affects handling

[ansonvd]

Thanks with your thoughts so far.
Rivers, just wondering what cost are associated with the turbo option, and how easy are they to find? I must admit that I don't bump into many when looking though these threads.

[river]

Hi,

Norbie is the man to ask about turboing the magnificent 18RG. I think he's doing one or investigating the possibilities. He's gonna make a 1GGTE killer!!!!!

I'm a proud NA man through & through and cannot offer much advice when it comes to turbo set ups.

seeyuzz
river

[Lambolica]

Depending on how far you wish your wallet to fold you can bore out the block and use 22re pistons to get you out to 2150cc or go a step further and stroke it to nearly 2.4 lt .

The 1G is by far the best bang for buck but there is somthing about a tough 18R-G that rings my bell.

P.S River you are going soft.

[river]

Hi,

Well I'm getting on a bit now

I love turbos, but I love a nice NA engine more.

And you're right - a nice beefy 18R-G does have a wonderful sound.

seeyuzz
river

[ansonvd]

Are there extra mods required in regards to brakes, gearbox, diff etc, if the engine is rebuilt. I understand that these mods are required if a 1G-GTE is fitted!

[Lambolica]

Yes, they they would be, not so much so with the 18R-G. If you turbo it it would be wise.
Probably a good thing to do as well anyway

[Screamn_Sleeka]

Although u NEED a brake upgrade for the 1g-gte, i think at least 1 person should tell you that you SHOULD get a brake upgrade with both... and a LSD

[brett_celicacoupe]

if all you want is more power than just throw the 1g in. i did my conversion with 2500$ so thats equivelent to a very decent 18rg rebuild. budget for atleast 3000-3500 though.

a 1g should make your car run 14 flat (or lower) passes

[Screamn_Sleeka]

a 1g-gTe should make your car run 14 flat (or lower) passes

u mean?
lets not forget about the n/a 1g, its good too

[brett_celicacoupe]

1gge's are for whimpy girls

seriously, i cant see the point of going to all that effort of fitting a 1gge when for a couple hundred bux extra, you can have 50 more hp